Palmira is a mid-sized city in the Valle del Cauca, just 25 km south of Cali and easily reached by frequent buses. Known as the agricultural capital of Colombia, it sits in the heart of sugar cane country — the flat, fertile valley floor stretches out to the Andes on both sides.
The city is pleasant and walkable, with a lively central plaza and the Parque del Azúcar reflecting its sugar heritage. Most travellers pass through on the way to or from Cali, but the Jardín Botánico de Cali — which is actually in Palmira despite its name — is worth a stop, with an excellent collection of tropical plants and orchids. The Hacienda Piedechinche outside town is a well-preserved colonial sugar estate that tells the story of the industry that built the entire valley.